The Rumjacks

Formed in Sydney in 2008 around bassist Johnny McKelvey and Scottish singer Frankie McLaughlin, The Rumjacks belong to the Celtic punk tradition, combining punk‑rock energy with Irish‑ and Scottish‑inspired folk melodies and the spirit of the pub song. After several EPs the band honed its sound on the album Gangs of New Holland (2010), followed by Sober & Godless (2015) and Sleepin’ Rough (2016), which accompanied a growing live presence in Australia and later Europe. The lineup evolved over the years around a stable rhythmic core with various guitarists and drummers, and the repertoire mixes fast numbers, acoustic ballads and sing‑along choruses. A turning point came in 2020 with McLaughlin’s departure and the arrival of American singer Mike Rivkees, who recorded the vocal parts on Hestia (2021) and ushered in a new phase of songwriting. The lyrics address everyday life, migration trajectories, social tensions and barroom encounters, driven by a blend of electric riffs, chanted choruses and acoustic arrangements that anchor the band in international punk and folk scenes.